On the next June 16th and 17th, the French team is going to write a new page of its history. Indeed, the Team Thiriet by TDS Racing will compete the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time. To prepare the race, the whole team participated in the Test day organized last Sunday. The Team Thiriet By TDS Racing began his Endurance program one and a half year ago in order to compete the 24 Hours of Le Mans one day. Eighteen months later, its wish is going to be fulfilled because the red and black Oreca 03 Nissan n°46 will be on the starting grid on June 16th, at 3pm. The line-up composed of Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet and Christophe Tinseau will be in charge of crossing the finish line and being the best classified in LMP2 class. To be ready for the D-day, the three drivers participated in the Test day on Sunday, June 3rd on the Le Mans circuit.
At that occasion, a substantial program had been established beforehand. The priority was Mathias Beche because he had to do the 10 compulsory laps required by the regulation. Then it was necessary for Pierre Thiriet and Christophe Tinseau to discover the car. Furthermore, the three men worked on tires as well as on the set up. In spite of an incident at the first chicane of Les Hunaudières, everything went well. The program was fully respected and the 14th lap time of the LMP2 class is minor because the team essentially focused on its preparation of the race.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on June 16th and 17th. The week will start with the traditional administrative checks and scrutineering. The car is awaited on Sunday, June 10th at 6.10 pm. The qualifying practice sessions are to be followed from Wednesday, June 13th on Eurosport and Eurosport 2. Start and finish live on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th Eurosport (2.45 pm)
What they say :
Mathias Beche: “I started the first in the morning on a delicate and sometimes wet track with parts to be ground. Then, after Christophe’s stint, I went back into the car and we worked on the set up, going in the right direction. Unfortunately, I was not able to have of clear lap to validate the potential of the car. Nevertheless, I am satisfied and reassured about the work we did. During a fast lap, I arrived at the second chicane of Les Hunaudiéres, I braked very late, the track was wet but no flag indicated it. I blocked the wheels and crossed the graveltrap. It is absolutely necessary to maintain the flag until the track dries out and not to remove it as soon as the shower passed. It is a problem to be solved! I am happy to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans because it has been a long time since I wanted to run this race. I am finally going to compete in it in a good team, with a good car and great team mates. I am feeling well and I am going to give my best!”
Pierre Thiriet: “I felt immediately well in the car. Unfortunately, in the afternoon, I did a mistake. I think that I went back on the track with cold tires and brakes and I was surprised at the first chicane of Les Hunaudières! I slightly touched the wall damaging the front hood. By safety measure and for a lack of time, we decided to stop our tests. Anyway, just before, Mathias had validated a set up which seems good … “
Christophe Tinseau: ” I had never really driven a LMP2 car, it is true that it changes a bit especially regarding the acceleration and the release of the traction control. Mathias helped me a little and then it was better. I just have to get used to having less power. With regard to the other cars, I am surprised with the overtakings of the GTs which are quite easy thanks to a sufficient top speed. On the other hand, the gap between Audi, Toyota and us is really dangerous. But I enjoyed driving that car. Concerning the aerodynamics load, the feelings are the same. I just have to get used to the car, I hadn’t driven for 10 months before last Sunday! The day went very well, we worked well. I just regret that the race direction put the safety car on the track when I had put tires. We don’t have a benchmark time to validate our feelings. We are henceforth going to work on the collected data. Regarding the team, in spite of its lack of experience in Le Mans, they worked very well. We had no problem on the car. In terms of set up, we modified things and what they realized went in the right direction. It is really a good team which works well and has good ideas. “
Source : Thiriet by TDS Racing